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Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking 100-150 v1.0 · Domain 3: Endpoints and media types

Cellular 4G/5G as licensed spectrum vs unlicensed Wi-Fi; hotspots and tethering

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Last reviewed September 25, 2026 · Leer en español

Wireless networks differ in who is allowed to use the radio spectrum. Cellular networks use licensed spectrum: governments sell or assign specific frequency ranges to mobile carriers, who have exclusive rights to transmit there in a region. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use unlicensed spectrum, such as the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands, which anyone may use with approved equipment as long as they follow power and other rules.

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